Explosive-engine starter.



r P. CROSLEY, JR.

EXPLOSIVE ENGINE STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. 1918.

1,302,637. Patented'May 6,1919.

larged and with part of the manipulating im'irnn srnrns PATENT OFFICE.

Pownn onosLEY, an, on CINCINNATI, OHIO.

:exrnosrvn-nivemn STARTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 6, 1919.

Application. filed June 18, 1918. Serial No. 240,649. I

To (ZZZ whom-it may concern:

Be It known thatI, Power. CnosLnY, Jr., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton construction and operation and readily mana ufactured and installed.

In the drawing: I Figure 1-is afront elevation of part of an automobile frame anda device embody ing my invention installed thereon, the dotted llnes indicatmg dllferentpositlons of some of the parts. y y

Fig. 2 1s a plan V1QWOf the device enmeans omitted; and i Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section on a plane corresponding to the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, the ratchet being shown in full view and the dotted lines indicating different positions of some of the parts. l i

The shaft 1 will be understood to be that of an explosive engine not shown, which will be suitably supported on the frame 2 of the motor vehicle and whichframe in a large proportion of the motor vehicles now manufactured has at oppositesides of the shaft 1 upwardlyprojecting parts3 which are fixed to the frame and help to support part of the mechanism in a manner which need not be more fully described herein.

It will of course, ,be understood that to start the engine it is necessary to glve the gated for this purpose. I do not eliminate the clutch 4 because with the best devised starters there may he occasion when the crank will be necessary.

Integralwith the sleeve 7 of the clutch member 4: is the ratchet wheel 8 about midway between the end of the shaft 1 and the pulley 5. A main arm 9 has a hollow hub 10 surrounding the ratchet wheel 8 and bearing on the sleeve 7 between the ratchet wheel 8 and the pulley 5. The front side of the hollow hub. 10 has its opening large enough to admitthe ratchetwheel 8 and a bushing 11 1s fitted in this opening around the clutch member 4; and forms a bearing therefor.

This bushing 11 is fixed in the front'part of the hub by means of a screw 12 passing through the hub into the bushing. This screw 12 also fixes to the outside of the hub one end of a tension helical spring 13 which extendssome distance to the left and has its other end 14 fixed to the frame 2. This spring thus stretched between these two points normally holds the arm 9 down at the left of the shaft 1 against the upward extension 3 ofthe frame.

Thearm 9 is hollow throughout its length;

its interior cavity being continuous with the interior of the hollow hub 10 with which the arm 9 is integral. Inside this cavity of the arm 9 is the pawl 15 which is pivoted to swing up and down in the cavity by ineans of a pin 16 passing transversely through the walls of the hollow arm and through this pawl somedistance to the left of the ratchet wheel '8; the pawl inclining upwardly to the right to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel near the top of said wheel within the cavity of the hub 10. The inner walls of the continuous cavities of the hub lO-and arm 9 are preferably"finished smooth and the sides of the ratchet teeth and of the pawl fit against them snugly. The bushing 11 bears in the same wayagainst the front sides of the ratchet teeth. Thus the arm is guided by the sides of the ratchet teeth in open throughout the extent of its cavity and the opening extends partof the way around the hub 10. In this opening is located a dog 17 which as here shown is pivoted to swing up and down below the pawl 15 by means of a pin 18, passing transversely through the walls of the hub 10, and through the right hand lower end part of the dog 17 somewhat below and to the left of the shaft 1 where the dog extends into the open part of the hub 10 at that side. From this plvot 18 the dog 17 extends slightly downwardly thus forming a lug 19 to engage with the end wall 20 of the opening in which the dog lies and thus limiting the downward swinging of the dog. From the pivot 18 the dog extends upwardly and to the left, and then curves rather abruptly to the left and slightly downwardly. It extends in this direction some distance past the pivot 16 of the pawl 15 and then abruptly turns slightly upwardly and to the left.

It extends suflicie'ntly far to the left to engage with the upward extension 3 of the frame of the automobile on which the device is installed. The pawl 15 extends a short distance to the left from its pivot 16. This pawl is preferably a simple straight piece of metal with its right hand end properly shaped to engage with the ratchet wheel. Alsothese teeth of the ratchet wheel are preferably inclined away, from the pawl so that there is no marked tendency to hold the pawl in engagement with the teeth as where the teeth are under-cut as is usual 111 many ratchet wheels.

here the dog 17 extends downwardly and to the left under the pawl 15, it has its upper side straight and is so proportioned that this straight upper side will receive the straight lower side of thepawl 15 for some distance to the right, and left of the pawl pivot 16 as is clearly shown by the full lines in Fig. 3. The left hand extension of the pawl 15 does not extend farther to the left than the abrupt upward turn of the dog 17 before mentioned. The parts are so proportioned that when the pawl 15 is thus resting on' this part of the dog, and the dog is'resting on theextension 3 of the frame along with the arm 9, the right hand end of the pawl 15 will be raised away from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 8.

' Above the pawl 15, near its right hand end is located a gripper 21 which as here shown consists of a piece of resilient wire, preferably piano wire, bent to U-shape and having the upper ends of the U bent in towardeach other. Thewalls of the arm 9, near their upper edges, have transversely through them openings 22 and, farther out, lateral lugs 23,-and this gripper 21 is placed in 'position, by spreading its legs and slipping them under the lugs 23 while the inturned parts of their upper ends pass in through the openings 22. These inturned parts are long enough to project slightly inward past the inner walls of the arm cavity and if the pawl 15 rises far enuogh it will be caught between these inturned parts and held up.

The extreme left end of the arm has an upward extension 24L of channel shape, preferably continuous with the hollow interior of the arm and approximately concentric with the shaft 1, forming in effect, part of the periphery of a relatively very large sheave. Transversely through the side walls and the bottom of this upward extension is a pin 25 to which is connected the chain 26 which passes through the channeled upward extension 24.

On the side frame bar 27 of the automobile to the right is fixed a bracket 28 which has upper and lower inwardly extending bearings 29 and 30 for an upright shaft 31, on which is journaled a stepped sheave 32, comprising, concentrically attached together, an upper part 33 of greater diameter and a lower part 34 of lesser diameter; the upper part preferably being about thrice the diameter of the lower part. The chain 26, passing upwardly and to the right from the arm-extension 2 1, is connected to the lower part of the sheave 32 by suitable means 35 near the lower flange thereof, in such a manner that if the sheave be turned to the left the chain 26 will be wound up thereon and pull the arm 9 and attached mechanism over to the right. Another chain 36 is wound on the upper larger part 33 of the sheave 32 in such a direction that its unwinding will turn the sheave 32 to the left and wind up the chain 36 as just mentioned. This chain 36, it will be understood, extends back in the automobile within easy reach of the drivers seat; and as is usual in devices of this character that end of the chain is provided with a suitable handle not shown herein. Usually the chain extends through an opening in and is guided by the dash board of the vehicle. The stepped sheave 32 is inclined forwardly and inwardly in such a manner as to receive both chains 26 and 36.

When the chain 36 is pulled back at a given speed it pulls the arm 9 over to the right at about half that speed owing to the arrangement of the stepped pulley 32 which winds on the chain 26 only about half as fast as the chain 36 unwinds. As a consequence of this the operator has a mechanical advantage of about two to one in overcoming the resistance at the left end of the arm 9, which resistance of course, is caused by the inertia, friction and compression in the engine that is to be started, in addition of course to the resistance of the spring 13.

The upward extension 24 on the arm affords a greater turning moment initially than if the chain 26 were merely connected directly to the main part of the arm without running up over this extension. It will, of course, be understood that the length of the arm will be such in any given installation as to avoid interference with the maximum moans? swinging. of the armto the right by any objects on the automobile being engaged by this extension 24. here such provision is made this extension, which may be integral with the main part of the arm, is much simpler than the articulated or rotary connec tions provided in this 1 part of starting devices as heretofore constructed.

As soon as the arm 9 begins to leave the extension 3 on which it has been resting, the dog 17 which has also been resting on this extension 3 will drop down away from the pawl 15. Then the right hand end of the pawl 15 will drop into engagement with the teeth of theratchet wheel 8, causing the shaft 1 to turn to the right along with the arm 9 as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. When this turning to the right'has continued to about the position indicated by thedotted lines in Fig. 1 an explosion usually will have occurred in the engine and the engine will start witlritsrapid rotation of the shaft land, of course, of the ratchet wheel 8. This causes violentimpact of the teeth of the ratchet wheel with the pawl which has been engaging one of said teeth in the starting operatlon. Thls lmpaet wlll'be sufficient to throw the pawl 15 up between the inturned members of the gripper 21 which will then clutch the pawl and hold it away from the ratchet wheel, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, during the return movement of the arm 9' to the left under the action of the spring 13 when "the tension on tliechains 36 and26 has been released.

Now when the arm 9 comes down again on the extension 3 of the frame, the dog 17 engaging with this extensionwill be raised and by engagement with the left hand extension of the pawl 15 will bring it down away from the gripper 21 so that it again occupies an intermediate or neutral position indicated in fulllines in Fig. 8, when it is ready to again engage with the ratchet wheel 8 as soon as the arm 9 is raised again, either for the next starting of the engine or for a repetition of the operation just described should the engine not startat the first operation. 1

Should the engine backfire during the the arm 9 engages with said extension;

since the dog projects some distance below the lower side of the arm during the starting operation as shown by: the dotted lines in the upper part of Fig. 3. This release of the pawl by the dog 17 is due to the engage ment of the dog with the lower side of the pawl, between the pawl pivot 16 and the ratchet wheel; whereas the release of the pawl 15 from the gripper 21 upon a normal return of the arm 9 to its initial position is caused by l the engagement of the dog 17 with part ofthe pawl 15 to the left of the pivotl6. a i

Many automobiles do not have the upward case the dog will be swung upwardly inthe arm by engagement with the extension 3 or 3', and cause the release of the pawl 15 either from the ratchet teeth 01' from the gripper, accordingly as it is in engagement w1th one or the other upon the return of the arm 9 to initial position. By this peculiar constiarctionof the dog 17 my improved starting device operates with equal elliciency upon] either kind of automobiles.

Moreover, by this combination and arrangment in which the dog is confined entirely below the pawl, without the necessity of engaging with the upper sideof the pawl during any part of the operation, I am enabled to avoid undesirable increas inthe depth of the mechanism in the plane of its swinging with the result that a somewhat greater range of swingmg 1s permitted withinterfere with others.

The gripper 21 holding the pawl 15 away froln the rapidly rotating ratchet wheel 8 duringthe return of the arm 9, after the engine has beeir started, prevents noise and wear of the teethand the pawl thatwould be otherwise occasioned. However, this holding of the pawl 15 away from the ratchet wheel 8 in no degree reduces the reliability of thedevice because the dog 17 will always release the pawl from the gripper, when the arm 9 returns to inital position, and when the dog by this releasing movement also comes into position to hold the pawl away from the ratchet wheel so that the function of the gripper 21 is no longer needed. Andthe do 17 while thus holding the pawl 15 out of engaging,

noise-making and wearing position is ready to permit the pawl 15 to engage with the ratchet wheel whenever the engine is stopped and this position is needed and where the wear and noise will not occur. Should the starting device be manipulated while the engine is running, the pawl 15 will immediately be thrown up into the gripper 21 where it will be held until the arm is brought back to initial position, causing the dog 17 to act as has been described.

It will be seen therefore, that my improved starting apparatus is not only simple and compact, in its construction but is simple and reliable in its operation and well'adapted to remain in correct operating condition due to this simplicity and the prevention of unnecessary wear of its parts. The operative connection between the arm 9 and the ratchet wheel 8 being positive, the deviceis adapt- 7 ed to retain its operativeness for an indefinite. period; yet'by providing for certain release of the pawl from the ratchet either upon normal starting or upon back firing there is a sure avoidance of injury either to the operator or any part of the mechanism, a

While certain constructional details are deemed preferable in connection with my invention, and I have shown and described these rather specifically in elucidating the construction and use of my invention, as is required, I do not wish to be understood as being limited to such precise showing and description, but having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by. Letters Patent is: 7

1:. In an explosive-engine starter, in combination with the shaft of the engine, a

toothed ratchet wheel rotating with said shaft, an arm swinging around said shaft, a pawl, a pivot for said pawl on said arm from which said pawl projects toward said ratchet wheel, a dog pivotally connected to said arm and adapted to engage with a stationary part of the automobile when said arm is in initial position, and to engage with said pawl and hold it away from said ratchet wheel and to prevent material movement of said pawl either toward or away from said ratchet wheel, said dog releasing said pawl to swing either toward or away from said wheel when said arm is swung around said shaft, and means for swinging said arm around said shaft.

' 2. In an explosive-engine starter, in combination with the shaft of the engine, a toothed ratchet wheel rotating with said shaft, an arm swinging around said shaft, a pawl, a pivot for said pawl on said arm, from which pivot said pawl projects toward said ratchet wheel and also projects away from said ratchet wheel, means on said arm to make retaining contact with said pawl when said pawl is thrown away from said ratchet wheel by impact of the ratchet teeth, a dog pivotally connected to said arm and adapted to engage with a stationary part of the automobile when said arm is in initial position and to thereupon engage with said pawl at opposite sides of said pivot of said pawl and hold it away from said means and said ratchet wheel, said dog releasing said pawl either to engage with said ratchet wheel or to be thrown into contact with said means by said wheel when said arm is swung around said shaft, and means for swinging said arm around said shaft.

3. In an explosive-engine starter, in combination with the shaft of the engine, a toothed ratchet wheel rotating with said shaft and comprising a sleeve projecting in both directions from said ratchet wheel along said shaft, a hollow arm and hollow hub integral with each other, said hub surrounding and bearing upon said sleeve at one side of said ratchet wheel and inclosing said ratchet wheel and having an opening surrounding said sleeve at the other side of said ratchet wheel and of diameter to admit said ratchet wheel to the hollow interior of the'hub, a bushing fixed to said hub within said opening and surrounding and bearing on thispart of the sleeve, the interior of said hollow arm being continuous with the interior of said hollow hub, a pawl pivoted in said hollow arm and adapted to engage with said ratchet wheel, means on said arm for controlling the position of said pawl relative to said ratchet wheel, and means for swinging said arm around said shaft and sleeve. 1

4-. In an explosive-engine starter, in combination with the shaft of the engine, a toothed ratchet wheel rotating with said shaft, an arm swinging around said shaft, a pawl consisting substantially of a piece of material with its upper and lower sides and its lateral sides, respectively, substantially parallel, a pivot extending transversely through said pawl near one end thereof and permitting said pawl to swing into engagement with the teeth of said ratchet wheel in a position upwardly inclined from said pivot toward said ratchet wheel, a dog pivotally connected to said arm near one of the ends of said dog, and having an upper side inclined to lie against the lower side of said pawl and hold said pawl away from said ratchet wheel, said dog being so shaped on its lower side that it will engage with a stationary part of the automobile whether said part be in one or the other of various positions and by said engagement being brought into the just described relative position to said pawl, and means for swinging said arm around said shaft.

5. In an explosive-engine starter, in combination with the shaft of the engine, a toothed ratchet wheel rotating with said shaft, an

arm swinging around said shaft, a pawl, a pivot on said arm extending transversely through said pawl and permitting said pawl to swing into engagement with the teeth of said ratchet wheel in a position unwardly inclined from said pivot toward said ratchet wheel, a dog pivotally connected to said arm near one of the ends of said dog, and engaging with the lower side of said pawl at one side of said pivot, to the exclusion of any engagement of said dog with the upper side of said pawl during any part of the operation of said starter, said dog being adapted to engage its lower side with a stationary part of the apparatus and thereby position said pawl a desired distance from said ratchet wheel, and means for swinging said arm around said shaft.

6. In an explosive-engine starter, in combination with the shaft of the engine, a toothed ratchet wheel rotating with said shaft, an arm swinging around said shaft, a pawl, a pivot 011 said arm extending transversely through said pawl and permitting said pawl to swing into engagement with the teeth of said ratchet wheel in a position upwardly inclined from said pivot toward said ratchet wheel, a dog pivotally connected to said arm near one of the ends of said dog, and engaging with the lower side of said pawl at both sides of said pivot, to the exclusion of any engagement of said dog with the upper side of said pawl during any part of the operation of said starter, said dog being adapted to engage its lower side with a stationary part of the apparatus and thereby position said pawl a desired distance from said ratchetwheel, and means for swinging said arm around said shaft.

7. In an explosive-engine starter, in combination with the shaft of the engine, a toothed ratchet wheel rotating with said shaft, an arm and hub having parts flanking said ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted between the flanking parts of said arm and adapted to engage with the teeth of said ratchet wheel, a gripper consisting of a piece of resilient material bent into substantially U-shape with the upper end parts of pact with the teeth thereof during rapid rotation, means to bring said pawl to a position intermediate of said gripper and the teeth of said ratchet wheel when said arm assumes an initial position, means for swinging said arm out of said position, and means for returning said arm to said position.

8. In an explosive-engine starter, in combination with the shaft of the engine, a toothed ratchet wheel rotating with said shaft, an arm and hub having parts flanking said ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted between the fianking parts of said arm and adapted to engage with the teeth of said ratchet wheel, a gripper consisting of a piece of resilient material bent into substantially U-shape with the upper end parts of the legs turned in toward each other, said arm having openings in its walls above said pawl and these inturned parts of said gripper projecting in through said openings and being adapted to grip said pawl when it is thrown away from said ratchet wheel by impact with ing said arm out of said position, and means for returning said arm to said position.

POWEL CROSLEY, JR. Witnesses JAMES N. RAMSEY, CLARENCE PERDEW.

Uopies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

